2024 Tennessee Pride In Business Awards Program

Thursday, May 30

HOSTED BY The Westin Nashville

Welcome!

We are the Tennessee Pride Chamber

We were founded in 1998 as the Nashville Association of Professional Persons, evolved into the Nashville LGBT Chamber and in 2023, began to serve the entire state of Tennessee as the Tennessee Pride Chamber. We have a new name but the same mission: to promote equality in the workplace and society and create economic opportunities for LGBTQ+ communities throughout Tennessee.

President Joshua Wood, Holland & Knight

Vice President

Treasurer

Secretary

Advocacy Chair

Raquel Barlow, AllianceBernstein

Caitlyn Lovell, Cumberland Trust

Kimber Beeler, Tolbert Marketing & Events

Joseph Woodson, Woodson Results

Keillian Carpenter, American Cancer Society

JJ Light, Dell Technologies

Brady O’Rourke, Social Link

Annie Brinn, Warner Music Group

Jason Wu, Mars Petcare

David Andrews, D’Andrews Bakery

Margaret Eggers, The MLC

Anthony Green, William Morris Endeavor

Selena Haynes, Connect Media

Donnie Iorio, Amazon

Bryson McGuire, BT McGuire Educational Consulting

Miranda McDonald, Tennessee Titans

Jenn Redican, Asurion

Quentin Salas, Orthodontic Partners

Corrine Elise, Nashville Launch Pad

Executive Director Stephanie Mahnke

& Aja Price

Welcome Opening Remarks

Allied Business of the Year

Non-Profit of the Year

State of the Chamber Address

Advocate of the Year Award

Small Business Leader of the Year

Corporate Business Leader of the Year

Legislative Report

Corporate Partner of the Year

LGBTQ+ Business of the Year Award

Voice of Change Award

Closing Remarks

Special Thanks

Premier Sponsors

Award Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

The Awards

The Voice of Change Award

An award to recognize artists in the entertainment industry who have used their voice to lift the LGBTQ+ community.

MORGXN

Born and based in Nashville, soaring indie-music artist Morgan Isaac Karr, better known as MORGXN, has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ communities, particularly in states such as Tennessee where he describes speaking out as “urgent and vital.” Following his viral duet “Wonder” with Sara Bareilles, MORGXN has released his newest album Beacon which was intentionally recorded in Tennessee, a state where queer and trans rights are continuously challenged.

“I grew up in this city and the minute I realized I was ‘different’ I was afraid for my life. I could not have left fast enough. Coming home has felt both intentional and magical — to live and love openly in this city is such a vital part of who I am. I am charged to stand up for others who feel different in this city, and I am honored beyond words to receive this award.” - MORGXN

Allied Business of the Year

The Allied Business of the Year Award is given to an allied-owned business that is a member of the Chamber, is an active participant in building a more diverse business community in Tennessee, and has a proven track record of success and involvement.

Carver Construction Company

At Carver Construction, our primary business is paving and asphalt repair. We pride ourselves on being more than that with a commitment to our employees and to the communities that we work in. If you see us working in your neighborhood, say hello! On small projects we move around quickly. But when we work on large projects we get to know people in the communities that we work in. Investing in charitable organizations and youth programs is very important to us. We live here, too!

Marathon Music Works

Host your special event at Marathon Music Works in our industrial chic warehouse style venue; equally suited for receptions, fundraisers, corporate dinners and events, video shoots, trade shows, and conferences. Originally built in the early 1900s, Marathon Music Works has been restored and adapted as an ideal blank space for your custom event!

Sid Gold’s Request Room

Fait La Force Brewing

Our aim is to create a space and experience that is inclusive and appeals to all drinkers on the craft beer spectrum. We also strive to operate our business in a way that enhances the community and works alongside it, not against it. We value representation, equality, fairness, and justice. We want to expand minds and expand palettes, not just through beer, but through art, music, and showcasing the work of our talented and creative neighbors. No matter who you are, when you walk into our taproom, we want you to know and feel that you belong.

NPS Pharmacy

NPS Pharmacy was founded in January of 2001 by Kevin Hartman. Kevin’s father owned a retail pharmacy in Nashville from the late 70’s to the late 90’s and it was in his father’s pharmacy that Kevin learned how to take care of people and their pharmacy needs. Kevin felt that there was an unmet need for a pharmacy in our community that could offer things large chain pharmacies could not. He believed that NPS Pharmacy could help improve the health and lives of the customers that it would serve. Kevin’s idea was to have a pharmacy that would work in partnership with its customers to design a set of services that would best meet each customer’s needs. Nashville’s only LIVE PIANO KARAOKE bar and has been dubbed the “most supportive room in town”. Opened in October 2020 (!!) Sid’s features live piano karaoke 6 nights a week plus burlesque, singalongs, show tunes and more. Delicious cocktails, mid century modern decor, friendly service and vibe for days will make this Inglewood hidden gem your new favorite spot.

Non-Profit of the Year

The Non-Profit Organization of the Year Award is given to a non-profit organization that is a member of the Chamber, with a proven track record of success, involvement with, and a commitment to building a diverse community.

Nashville Repertory Theater

We are Nashville’s premier regional theatre company, founded in 1985 by Martha Rivers Ingram and Mac Pirkle, celebrating over 30 years of presenting musicals, hot new plays, and reimagined classics to Nashville. Every year, over 20,000 members of the local community get to experience a Nashville Rep production, special event, or outreach program. We love our home here in Nashville and are proud to be leaders in the Nashville arts community. Employing over 200 actors, playwrights, designers, directors, musicians, technicians, and educators each year, Nashville Rep is the leading employer of theatrical artists in middle Tennessee!

Nashville Launch Pad

Our mission is to create a network of temporary, safer, street-free sleeping shelters for unhoused young adults which are open and affirming to LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. We envision a future where all unhoused and displaced young adults in Middle TN have safer and more secure sleeping shelters throughout the year.

Healing In The Margins

Our mission is to cultivate systemic change and foster healing by providing resources and programming in mental health spaces for the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC. We hope to bridge the gap between competent and safe care and financial accessibility to that care. Historically, clinicians from marginalized communities end up working in spaces that don’t create safety or empower them with the resources and tools they need to be excellent. It is our hope at Healing in the Margins that we can create systemic change that disrupts this cycle, creating sustainability and care for clinicians and community members in the margins.

We Are One Recovery Nashville In Harmony

Nashville’s only LGBTQ+ Recovery Residence. We Are One Recovery’s mission is to assist LGBTQ+ individuals (and allies) with having a safe place to live; free of alcohol, drugs, and persecution. They are an inclusive and client centered community, living by spiritual principles and teaching healthy life coping skills to help individuals set and exceed their goals. With deepest empathy, guiding integrity, and loving compassion.

Founded in 2004, Nashville in Harmony (NiH) is Tennessee’s first musical arts organization specifically created for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and their allies. Today, NiH includes an adult chorus of more than 100 voices, the Major Minors youth chorus and the Nashville in Harmony Pride Band. As NiH celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, we are proud of the progress we have made and seen together with our fellow organizations here tonight. We also know there is much work still to be done and will continue to pursue our mission to create meaningful music, build community and create social change for the next 20 years and beyond.

Advocate of the Year

The Advocate of the Year Award is given to an individual who identifies as LGBT and who has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ inclusion and diversity within the larger business community.

Jace Wilder Tennessee Justice Center

Jace Wilder (he/they) is a born and raised Tennessean who has worked in the sphere of LGBTQ+ and intersectional advocacy for years. He is the education manager with Tennessee Equality Project where he teaches about what it is to be trans, how to help the community, and advocates to lawmakers and the media about the equal treatment of trans folks. They recently received their Master in Public Health where he studied the impact of incarceration on young adults in the community. Jace is also part of multiple community councils and organizations where he focuses on helping reduce the impact of hate crimes, increase education, and better the lives of the community.

Alexia Noelle Paris Drag Artist

Alexia Noelle Paris has made a name for herself in the LGBTQ+ community. Raised in middle Tennessee, Alexia emerged in November 2016 for a charity performance benefitting Nashville Launch Pad. This past year she collaborated with businesses and events to raise money for the Tennessee Equality Project, Life is Work, Trans Formations Project, and ACLU Tennessee. Alexia Noelle spent time on a national tour with country music artist Orville Peck amplifying her voice and art to advocate for equality and self-expression of the LGBTQ+ community.

Sarah Calise

Nashville Queer History

Nashville Queer History was founded in September 2021 by local archivist and public historian Sarah Calise. Nashville Queer History is a community organization and digital portal whose mission is to research and share the LGBTQ history of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in hopes of inspiring local activism, education, and inclusion. Nashville Queer History has created or participated in numerous public projects, including a driving tour of LGBTQ sites across Nashville, a walking tour of Centennial Park’s LGBTQ history, a historical marker honoring Black trans soul singer Jackie Shane, physical and online exhibits, oral history interviews, mediating the donation of LGBTQ archival materials to local repositories, and an upcoming introductory book on Nashville’s LGBTQ past.

Dakerri Rhone Human Rights Campaign

Dakerri Rhone has lived in Nashville for 35 years. She is a proud mother and has the most amazing partner Ashley. She has a 7 year old son (Jensen) and bonus mom to a 17 year old non-binary teen (Sydney). Dakerri joined the Human Rights Campaign Nashville Steering Committee in 2015 and currently serves on the National Board of Governors Executive Committee as DEI Tri-chair. Here locally, she serves as Dinner Cochair and Governor liaison and PACE (Political Action/Community Engagement) Governor liaison. She also has the honor as serving on the board of directors of Nashville Pride and the Tennessee Equality Project.

H.G. Stovall

Nashville Launch Pad

A near native of middle Tennessee, H.G. Stovall (he/him) is grateful to an 8th grade PE teacher who noticed that he wasn’t exactly, well, athletic, and steered him toward the student council. His leadership of our community began over 20 years ago as co-chair of PFLAG Nashville which led him to Tennessee Equality Project during the election that led to the discriminatory marriage amendment to the Tennessee constitution. After a variety of roles at TEP including Chair, HG then began advocating inside his church before finding his way to Launch Pad where he was first board chair and has now been Executive Director since 2022. H.G. and his husband Cody Stovall have four precious fur babies and enjoy antiquing.

Small Business Leader of the Year

The Small Business Leader of the Year Award is given to a hard-working and dedicated individual who has had a positive professional and personal impact on building a diverse business community in Tennessee.

Melissa A. Eldridge 1-on1 Care Matters

1-On-1 Care Matters, LLC is a homecare agency for disabled veterans, since 2016. We provide in-home care services to keep veterans thriving in their home environment vs going to a nursing home. Our services include assisting veterans with bathing/dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, monitoring safety and changes in health conditions.

Tavarus Taylor TNT Commercial Services 615

Tavarus brings years of corporate sales experience, negotiation, and training with regards to service, facility maintenance, management, and operations. He’s passionate about keeping business local and doing business the Right Way! Tavarus is responsible for the coordination of all executed operations, including but not limited to: Sales, Site Reviews, Estimates, Partner Relations and Business Development. Tavarus is a native of Middle Tennessee and a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.

Jay Kill Frankie J’s

Jay Kill is a dynamic Culinary Executive with over 15 years of experience in food quality management, inventory oversight, and organizational leadership. He excels in vendor selection, process improvement, curriculum development, and regulatory compliance. Skilled in launching franchises and startups, Jay manages profit and loss, negotiates business agreements, and enhances packaging design. He has a proven track record in staff development, national program initiation, and delivering innovative solutions. With strong skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning, Jay consistently surpasses company goals and ensures adherence to industry standards.

Lamar Allen LaMarvelous Balloons

LaMarvelous Balloons has been spreading “the Spark” around Nashville since its inception in 2014. The company’s owner and Fisk University Alumnus, Lamar Allen, started the company as a college freshman with the intent of dramatizing Fisk’s campus with vibrant events through balloon decor! The company has grown exponentially, counting numerous colleges/universities, businesses, and private clients around metropolitan Nashville. The company’s mantra, “It’s our mandate, to fascinate!”, speaks to its mission to add fascination and exhilaration to the lasting memories its clients cherish most, and permeate environments and communities with high spiritedness.

Mikey Corona

Tio Fun / The Mockingbird

Mikey Corona, born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, infuses his Tex-Mex roots into every dish at The Mockingbird. His early fascination with food led him to the hospitality industry at 15, where he quickly advanced from dishwasher to server assistant. Moving to Houston as a teenager, Mikey’s passion for art and vibrant Mexican culture flourished, further enriched by his experiences in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo. He graduated with a B.F.A. in Ad Art Direction from Columbia College Chicago, where he also gained valuable restaurant experience. Partnering with Brian, whose success on “Chopped” bolstered their culinary ventures, they opened The Mockingbird in Nashville in 2016.

Corporate Business Leader of the Year

The Corporate Business Leader of the Year is given to a powerhouse of Tennessee’s business community and one of the Chamber’s corporate partner members who works to support and build a culture of inclusion and acceptance.

Nikki Gibson Dell Technologies

At Dell Technologies, we believe diversity is power. Our goal is to build a workforce that champions equality and celebrates unique perspectives. Our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion is how we address societal challenges and unlock innovation. It’s how we win as a company – and win the right way.

Ashlee Davis

Ancestry.com

Ashlee Davis brings 15 years of diversity and civil rights experience to lead Ancestry’s global endto-end Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) strategy. Her professional experience spans the industries of private, nonprofit, and the Executive branch of the federal government, where she held roles in agriculture, finance, banking, and social services. Ashlee served six years in the Obama administration in positions including the Senior Advisor for Civil Rights and Director of the National LGBT Rural Summer Series, a national initiative to connect LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities with resources to address food insecurity, housing, and youth empowerment.

Justin Pruett

Justin Pruett (he/him) is a lawyer and Director of Claims at HCA Healthcare, Inc.(“HCA”) A Nashville native, Justin lived in Washington, DC prior to returning home in the spring of 2020 and has been in service to his community ever since. In addition to serving in various leadership roles internal to HCA and leading a team that is responsible for managing nearly $1 billion dollars in risk, Justin is intimately involved in multiple community organizations and boards and leverages his role and relationship with DEI at HCA to transmit corporate dollars to local non-profit organizations. Notably, Justin is the incoming president for the Associate Board of Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee and has served that non-profit as a volunteer for over 12 years.

Elizabeth Darden Oracle

Lance Gruner Mastercard

Bridging the gap between ideas and solutions, Elizabeth is responsible for the digital and communications strategic programs for Oracle’s global industries organization. The digital and communications team aligns signature messages that demonstrate the value of Oracle across industries. In her previous role, Elizabeth led strategic partnerships for Oracle Health, collaborating with organizations like the Tony Blair Institute and GPAS to expand global healthcare resources in underserved communities.

Lance Gruner is the Executive Vice President of Global Customer Care at MasterCard, where he spearheads customer experience, contact center, employee experience, and data science strategies. With over 25 years of experience across B2B, B2B2C, and B2C environments, Lance has worked with premium brands in hospitality, travel, and financial services. His expertise includes CX design, customer loyalty, AI, robotics, and global operations. A board member and keynote speaker, Lance is dedicated to empowering customers and employees, driving growth, and delivering value for MasterCard and its partners.

Corporate Partner of the Year

The Corporate Partner of the Year Award (150+ employees) is given to an organization that is a corporate member of the Chamber and has shown a strong commitment to diversity in the workplace and to positively growing the LGBTQ+ and allied business community.

Mars Petcare

We have one Purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.Through comprehensive veterinary care, nutrition, breakthrough programs in diagnostics, wearable health monitoring, DNA testing and pet welfare, our 100,000 Petcare Associates help pets in more than 130 countries. For decades we’ve supported research into the incredible science of human animal interaction at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute where scientists discover important advances in pet health and wellness.

Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators are a National Hockey League (NHL) team located in the heart of Nashville, TN at Bridgestone Arena. The team celebrated their 25th anniversary this year and spent the season honoring the history of the Smashville legacy in Music City. Since their inception in 1998, Nashville Predators have continuously committed to being active participants in the community through the charitable work of the Nashville Predators Foundation and, more recently, the inclusive partnerships of the Smashville GUIDER Board. The organization is proud to be a member of the Tennessee Pride Chamber and continue the work of ensuring Smashville is a safe and enjoyable space for all!

Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery

Digging into the past didn’t turn up skeletons and scandals for brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson; more like sour mash and stills. After discovering their triple great grandfather was one of the most successful whiskey distillers in pre-prohibition America, the brothers vowed to revive the since-forgotten family business. If you’re into sunken ships and lost gold, a woman running a distillery before women could vote and the rebirth of a Nashville business after 100 years, you’ll be sucked into this story. Sample gold medal award-winning Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey. Taste the perfected blends of two, modern-day, straight bourbon whiskeys crafted by the Nelson Brothers, and finish your tasting with strong and sweet Louisa’s coffee caramel pecan liqueur.

Tractor Supply Co.

For more than 85 years, Tractor Supply Company has been passionate about serving the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts and all those who enjoy living Life Out Here. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., ranking 291 on the Fortune 500. The Company’s more than 50,000 Team Members are known for delivering legendary service and helping customers pursue their passions, whether that means being closer to the land, taking care of animals or living a hands-on, DIY lifestyle.

Warner Music Group

With a legacy extending back over 200 years, Warner Music Group (WMG) today brings together artists, songwriters, and entrepreneurs that are moving entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG’s Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, Elektra, Erato, First Night, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG’s music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century.

LGBTQ+ Business of the Year

The LGBTQ+ Business of the Year Award is given to an LGBTQ+ owned business that is a member of the Chamber, is an active participant in building a more diverse business community in Tennessee, and has a proven track record of success and involvement within the LGBTQ+ community.

Canvas

Welcome to your gayborhood bar! Enjoy a daytime drink or bite on our beautiful outdoor patio or explore a vibrant queer nightlife with weekly events and DJ’s on the weekends for you to dance the night away. We pride ourselves on being an LGBTQIA+ safe space, valuing diversity and solidarity in our community while offering a space for individuals from all walks of life to come together.

Good Neighbor Festivals

We don’t just produce and manage great festivals, we create meaningful experiences that build communities by bringing people together around shared interests. We’ve been creating and managing large scale events for over 10 years, striving to create and grow festivals that support the communities we love. We develop and manage all facets of special events specifically, marketing, promotion, production, strategic planning, logistics, budgeting, permitting and sponsorship sales. Our events bring people together, inspire, and stimulate minds.

Music City Creative

A Nashville-based screen printing shop and online store specializing in eco-friendly custom merchandise. Steven Romeo (they/them) and Jared Sizemore (he/him) started Music City Creative in the heart of the pandemic to provide apparel supporting the queer community around them. After going viral on TikTok in August 202, their rainbow “Y’all Means All” tee was an instant hit, touting a message of inclusivity born in the South.

Emily April Allen Photography

Emily April Allen (she/her) is a queer photographer who has called Nashville, TN home for 12 years. Her work seeks to expand visibility and document community. Emily focuses on portraiture, event photography, and documentary projects (which have included Nashville Queers in Quarantine, The Nashville Bi Diaries, and Nashville Business Who Stand with the Trans Community). Through photography, Emily aims to capture authenticity, fluidity, resilience, style, and the complexities of the human experience. She is inspired by the queer individuals in her life and her community — amplifying their voices through portraiture is an honor.

MashUp!

MashUp! is a community-centered non-profit organization, headquartered in Nashville, TN, with a mission deeply rooted in advocacy and community empowerment. Established on February 20th, 2017, MashUp! was initially organized to bring local community-based organizations and AIDS-service organizations together to strategize ways to support each other and build collaborative programs to fill service gaps for the LGBTQ+ community of color. Out of this focus on collaboration, the name “MashUp” was birthed. MashUp! works to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people of color through the provision of mindfulness and mental health services and strengthening community bonds through unique and innovative programming.

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